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400m² Rustic Spanish Cortijo with Stunning Lake and Mountain views

400m² Rustic Spanish Cortijo with Stunning Lake and Mountain views

This unique, luxurious, well equipped cortijo is in an area of outstanding natural beauty with simply stunning views over Lake Vinuela, the surrounding mountains and olive groves. Set in 5000m² of land it is the perfect location to relax. Perched on the top of the hillside, this cortijo provides 360° breathtaking panoramic views from each window. With over 300 days of sunshine per year it is beautiful in all seasons, particularly for those who enjoy walking in glorious countryside or simply sitting looking at the views. Breakfast in the walled internal courtyard to the fragrance of orange & lemon blossom.The Moor styled fountain provides the perfect backdrop to relax. Admire the sunsets in the reflection of the fountain framed by the rustic wooden doors. The luxury living areas provide space in which to relax and all bedrooms are comfortably furnished and all have A/C.For winter lets, enjoy the wood stove. The terrace overlooks the stunning unique luxury swimming pool and Lake Vinuela.
The cortijo is on a hillside surrounded by olive trees overlooking Lake Vinuela and the Sierra Tejada. The cortijo is 2.5km from the main road. Lake Vinuela is one of Andalucia’s best kept secrets but is unspoilt by tourism. The Lake is a reservoir and is also used for sailing, wind-surfing and fishing. There are no motorised boats allowed thus ensuring tranquillity. There are two excellent 18 hole golf courses nearby, Bavaria Golf (25 mins away) and Club Anorets (25 mins away). You may also enjoy skiing in the Sierra Nevada in the winter season which is only 1.45 hrs drive away. The season can be open from November to May depending on weather conditions.
The nearest beach resort is the typically Spanish resort of Torre de Mar just over 15 mins away. A wide promenade runs alongside its sandy beaches to the marina at Caleta. There are many small beaches along the coast line towards the busier resort of Nerja to enjoy. Nerja, with its famous caves, is 25 minutes away. Make a day of it and stop and have a paella or fresh fish lunch in the typical “chiringitos” or beach huts. Nearby is a fabulous shopping complex, El Ingenio with a hypermarket, Eroski, where you can buy all your necessities. Don’t forget to stop at their amazing fresh fish and sea-food counter! There are also numerous varied shops for all interests, a cinema, restaurants and tapas bars. Also nearby is a large water park and a go kart track. The busier resorts of Marbella and Fuengirola are less then 1 hour away. The local village of La Vinuela, 15 kms away, has a small supermarket and a choice of bars as does Puente Don Manuel, 10kms away, where you may buy supplies.
All around the property are paths leading to some glorious walks through unspoilt countryside. On the opposite side of the lake is the National Park which is widely used by walkers and ramblers and is renowned as being the best walking area in Spain. The white-washed mountain villages are well worth a visit to see the real Andalucía. Take time to look into the dates of the local “ferias” or festivals, in the surrounding villages. What better way to soak up the local culture. The villa is located within easy driving distance of Nerja and other towns like Malaga, Seville, and Granada, where you can take in the beauty and architecture of the Alhambra Palace.

Overview

This unique, luxurious, well equipped cortijo is in an area of outstanding natural beauty with simply stunning views over Lake Vinuela, the surrounding mountains and olive groves. Set in 5000m² of land it is the perfect location to relax. Perched on the top of the hillside, this cortijo provides 360° breathtaking panoramic views from each window. With over 300 days of sunshine per year it is beautiful in all seasons, particularly for those who enjoy walking in glorious countryside or simply sitting looking at the views. Breakfast in the walled internal courtyard to the fragrance of orange & lemon blossom.The Moor styled fountain provides the perfect backdrop to relax. Admire the sunsets in the reflection of the fountain framed by the rustic wooden doors. The luxury living areas provide space in which to relax and all bedrooms are comfortably furnished and all have A/C.For winter lets, enjoy the wood stove. The terrace overlooks the stunning unique luxury swimming pool and Lake Vinuela.

The cortijo is on a hillside surrounded by olive trees overlooking Lake Vinuela and the Sierra Tejada. The cortijo is 2.5km from the main road. Lake Vinuela is one of Andalucia’s best kept secrets but is unspoilt by tourism. The Lake is a reservoir and is also used for sailing, wind-surfing and fishing. There are no motorised boats allowed thus ensuring tranquillity. There are two excellent 18 hole golf courses nearby, Bavaria Golf (25 mins away) and Club Anorets (25 mins away). You may also enjoy skiing in the Sierra Nevada in the winter season which is only 1.45 hrs drive away. The season can be open from November to May depending on weather conditions.

The nearest beach resort is the typically Spanish resort of Torre de Mar just over 15 mins away. A wide promenade runs alongside its sandy beaches to the marina at Caleta. There are many small beaches along the coast line towards the busier resort of Nerja to enjoy. Nerja, with its famous caves, is 25 minutes away. Make a day of it and stop and have a paella or fresh fish lunch in the typical “chiringitos” or beach huts. Nearby is a fabulous shopping complex, El Ingenio with a hypermarket, Eroski, where you can buy all your necessities. Don’t forget to stop at their amazing fresh fish and sea-food counter! There are also numerous varied shops for all interests, a cinema, restaurants and tapas bars. Also nearby is a large water park and a go kart track. The busier resorts of Marbella and Fuengirola are less then 1 hour away. The local village of La Vinuela, 15 kms away, has a small supermarket and a choice of bars as does Puente Don Manuel, 10kms away, where you may buy supplies.

All around the property are paths leading to some glorious walks through unspoilt countryside. On the opposite side of the lake is the National Park which is widely used by walkers and ramblers and is renowned as being the best walking area in Spain. The white-washed mountain villages are well worth a visit to see the real Andalucía. Take time to look into the dates of the local “ferias” or festivals, in the surrounding villages. What better way to soak up the local culture. The villa is located within easy driving distance of Nerja and other towns like Malaga, Seville, and Granada, where you can take in the beauty and architecture of the Alhambra Palace.

Guestbook comments from the owner

We have recently returned from a weeks holiday at the Cortijo de las Carretas with friends. When we arrived we were met by June who was extremely helpful and informative (even though we were a bit early!), the cortijo was everything we could have hoped for, beautifully furnished, very spacious and comfortable, outside the garden and the pool were lovely, the terrace providing a great outdoor living area for those hot days and warm evenings. We must thank Maurice and Kate for answering our numerous questions regarding the property and supplying a super guest book with lots of useful information prior to our holiday which allowed us to plan our week beforehand. We would have no hesitation in recommending this property to other holidaymakers looking for a private and well equipped property, you would have to go a long way to better it! Sue and Ken Evans.

The Master Bedroom, situated on the first floor leading from the mezzanine gallery, is equipped with a wooden and wrought iron framed king sized bed. This bedroom has its own 'Romeo and Juliette' balcony, fitted wardrobes and an open plan en-suite shower room with double sinks. The Double en suite bedroom situated on the ground floor also has a king size bed, fitted wardrobes and ensuite shower room. This room leads directly to the internal walled courtyard and also to the outside terrace. Views over the olive groves are stunning. The double room is equipped with fitted wardrobes and has an adjacent bath and shower room. This room also leads to the internal walled courtyard. The twin bedroom has a direct access to the terrace overlooking the pool. The mezzanine gallery hosts a TV + SKY, DVD player, computer terminal with internet acess and WIFI All bedrooms are equipped with air conditioning. All door communicating with outside have childproof locks for safety.

Entertainment:

Audio Tape Player

Books

Books - Fiction / Non-fiction

Books for Kids

CD Player

DVD Player

Games

Music Library

Radio

Satellite / Cable

Stereo

Television

Outside:

Balcony

Garden

Barbecue

Patio

Terrace

8 garden chairs

8 deck chairs

Suitability:

Long-term Renters Welcome

suitable for elderly or infirm

wheelchair inaccessible

Pool / Spa:

Outdoor Pool

Private Pool

Attractions:

restaurants

water parks

Leisure Activities:

bird watching

horse riding

scenic drives

sight seeing

walking

Local Services & Businesses:

ATM/bank

groceries

massage therapist

medical services

Sports & Adventure Activities:

cycling

fishing

golf

hiking

mountain climbing

mountaineering

sailing

ski

swimming

wind-surfing

Notes:

The property provides many living areas depending on the time of day. Breakfast in the internal courtyard, dine on the covered terrace over looking the stunning views, enjoy views from the privacy of the upstairs terrace and mezzanine gallery, not to mention the 400m² of luxury living accommodation. With so much space, Cortijo Las Carretas is a perfect location to get away from hustle and bustle. Although very peaceful and secluded, the cortijo is not remote with a few English residents nearby, always friendly and eager to help. The cortijo is just 15 minutes from the coast and has good access. There are a number of excellent restaurants and bars offering local cuisine all within a few minutes drive, with extensive menus at very good value. There are also several local bars where you receive free tapas with your drinks. In Vinuela, there is a small Eroski supermarket offering a good selection of products.

Wonderful house - alojar esplendido!

We rent villas and houses very frequently, and all too often the descriptions of a house don't exactly match the reality. On this occasion it's the very opposite. Cortijo de las Carretas is located on a promontory overlooking Lake Vinuela but with true 360 degrees views across a breathtaking panorama, just as we were promised.

Our first impressions set the tone for what proved to be a superb holiday. The sturdy oak front door leads into a wonderfully peaceful courtyard, very Moorish in feel, with the sound of a lapping water feature adding to the atmosphere of calmness and coolness. Beyond this is the house itself, with a marvellous double-height lounge and mezzanine floor. Both this and the large and very well equipped kitchen open onto an extensive shaded terrace overlooking a substantial oval pool and the adjoining garden, all of it overlooking the lake and mountains. The air-conditioned bedrooms and adjoining bathrooms all have great views as well. Add to this the first class technology, from flatscreen tv to broadband internet and hi-fi music system and you have an all-weather holiday home - not that one has to worry about the weather for most of the year! Clearly very considerable thought has gone into the design and quality of the cortijo which was build only five or so years ago.

While the cortijo is located in a rural setting, there are numerous houses in the area, all well set apart, and local facilities are only a short drive and about 20 minutes away are the extensive services and facilities of Velez de Malaga and the coast. We did not visit local restaurants, but there appeared to be plenty around - some no more than a few minutes drive. The area itself was a revelation. We have usually rented houses further afield, in La Herradura, in the Alpujarras or around Antequera, but this is an area we had not visited previously and is now high on our list for the future.

Finally, and very importantly, the owners were a model of professional attention making sure that we were well looked after and keen to learn from our experiences.

We would have no hesitation whatsoever both in recommending Cortijo de las Carretas to any of our friends, but also returning there ourselves as soon as possible !

Fantastic home - couldn't have been happier!

What a delightful home - absolutely perfect! You can definitely trust the description -- it is 100% accurate. The views are stunning all around, and I was consistently amazed and impressed each time I took a moment to look out a different window (even the one halfway up the stairs!) It is a beautiful villa that simultaneously feels luxurious and homey. I was particularly impressed by its versatility -- plenty of gathering space for a houseful of people to comfortably hang out together, and enough separation of space to always find a quiet spot to be on your own if you'd like.

I stayed for one week with some friends and would not hesitate to go again! We spent a few lazy days just hanging out at the villa, enjoying the quiet, the company, and, of course, the pool. We availed ourselves of the traveling masseuse (one of many tips and ideas found in the property binder onsite) and I can say without reservation that she gave the best massage I've ever had in my life - talk about relaxation! We also went on day trips - to Nerja, Malaga, and Cordoba -- all were easily driveable for day trips and we didn't even scratch the surface of interesting places to explore.

I would not hesitate to recommend this property to anyone I loved -- and have, in fact, shared this link with a number of friends and family already. Come here on your next holiday -- you won't be disappointed!

An idyllic week!

I was lucky enough to stay here for a relaxing week with my girlfriends. The house and surroundings are even more beautiful than the photos, and Maurice was in touch to ensure that we had everything we needed for our stay. Everything was as promised -- a beautiful house, gorgeous pool, and lovely views. The cortijo is close enough to shopping and restaurants to be convenient, but far enough away that it's quiet and restful. You can feel "away from it all," and still make a day trip to Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, or the beach. If you are looking for a special place to relax and enjoy time with friends or loved ones, this is it!

Stunning villa set in beautiful surroundings!

The location, layout and facilities were exactly as described only better! I feel the listing description does not do the Cortigo justice as upon arrival myself and my family were overwhelmed by the beauty of both the accommodation and the 360 degree panoramic views over the mountains and the stunning lake.

The property itself is immaculate and well maintained to 5+ star standards. The property is very cosy yet provided more than adequate space to get away from it all with a book when needed.

The pool area is fabulous to lounge around with a cocktail or 2 and kept my 12 year old extremely happy! The pool is immaculate and very large!

A great BBQ area and dining area set outside provided great family time for lazy lunches and evening meals plus the lovely spacious indoor kitchen with a dining area plus a further dining area in the main lounge provided us with that traditional Spanish feel.

Boredom with children is definitely not an issue as a variety of entertainment is available including free Wi-Fi as well as a huge selection of board games, these gave us plenty of laughs throughout our stay!

The hosts were also amazing providing a great welcome pack full of useful local information. We experienced a traditional Spanish steak house, Venta El Charco, as recommended in the welcome pack, possibly the best steak I've ever had! as well as a FANTASTIC Spanish seafood restaurant, La Restinga, situated a short drive away on a beautiful secluded beach (I recommend the Paella, beware the portions are very generous!!). An evening at the nearby Vinuela hotel a short drive away provided us with pre dinner drinks outside in stunning settings followed by a glorious meal in the restaurant, we all chose something different on the menu and sampled each others food, nothing could be faulted!

This was my 1st holiday abroad in a long time with family and it did not disappoint, taking morning walks before the sun got too high around the stunning lake and gorgeous surroundings made this holiday a very special one indeed.

I would, without a doubt, recommend staying at this location and property to any body looking for a relaxing holiday in the Spanish sun surrounded by what I can only describe as outstanding, luxurious comfort and breath taking scenery.

Amazing!! Beautiful villa, stunning surroundings

This was my first time visiting Cortijo De Las Carretas and I cannot rate it highly enough. The house itself is beautiful with incredible 360° views over the valley and lake. I was with a party of 7 (including a toddler) and there was always somewhere in the house you could go for a bit of quiet time to read your book- my favourite place for this was the courtyard which provides a cool and relaxing place to escape the midday sun. The house has its own private pool which is larger than average and when the lights in the garden come on in the evening the pool looks even more spectacular. I also enjoyed the lovely terrace area with a bbq and a large table with chairs, the ideal place to sit in the evening and watch the sun go down as you have your tea. The kitchen is very well equipped with everything you could possibly need, including 2 coffee machines. The beds in all the rooms were extremely comfortable and I was very pleased to find that there was a hairdryer provided in each bathroom (as I had forgotten mine).

Overall my time spent at Cortijo De Las Carretas was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. I can't fault the property or the owner, who worked so hard to make our stay there perfect. I will definitely be returning to the Cortijo in the future and would certainly recommend it to anyone else who is thinking about staying there.

Beautiful Villa in Sunny Southern Spain

We stayed in this beautiful villa for a week in mid September. The weather was absolutely perfect, not a cloud in the sky most days. This was an 'extended family' holiday with a 1 year old, and 6 adults.

The villa is very easily accessible from the airport in less than an hour. The living space is extremely generous with a fabulous living grand living area with comfy sofas, dining table, and fire. The kitchen also has a dining table, but also everything you need in order to be able to make your own meals. Outside, there is a fantastic patio with BBQ where you can while away the warm evenings in peace and quiet, with beautiful views as the sun goes down or rises, over the mountains with the lake also visible below.

The sleeping areas are also very generous with en-suites to two of the rooms, but bathrooms easily accessible to the other two rooms. There is also a fabulous courtyard at the front of the property and a great pool.

The host, Maurice, was extremely accommodating, responding quickly to any queries and doing his best to go the extra mile with special requests, advice, and help in general. He also gave some great suggestions on places to eat in the nearby area. We ate at a Spanish restaurant that I believe was called Miguel's. The food was amazing, so much so that we went back again a couple of days later. A very authentic Spanish restaurant, very atmospheric and reasonably priced.

Overall we had a great family holiday, spending most of our time at the villa due to having everything we needed there, but venturing out a couple of times for some lovely meals out.

I would highly recommend this villa to anyone wanting a luxurious villa, in a beautiful setting, and a great host.

Lake Vinuela is one of Andalucia’s best kept secrets but is unspoilt by tourism. The Lake is a reservoir and is also used for sailing, wind-surfing and fishing. There are no motorised boats allowed thus ensuring tranquillity. There are two excellent 18 hole golf courses nearby, Bavaria Golf (15mins away) and Club Anorets (25 mins away). You may also enjoy skiing in the Sierra Nevada in the winter season which is only 1.45 hrs drive away.

The nearest beach resort is the typically Spanish resort of Torre de Mar just over 15 mins away. A wide promenade runs alongside its sandy beaches to the marina at Caleta. There are many small beaches along the coast line towards the busier resort of Nerja to enjoy. Nerja, with its famous caves, is 25 minutes away. Make a day of it and stop and have a paella or fresh fish lunch in the typical “chiringitos” or beach huts.

Other Activities: Local Ferias (Fêtes) in the summer months in surrounding villages

Ski: For more information on the ski resorts visit the website http://www.sierranevada.co.uk/

Additional pricing information

Fees

No additional mandatory fees

Please note : Changeover day is a Saturday. You will be greeted at the villa upon your arrival where you will be given the keys.
A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking and the balance is required two months before arrival date. A £100 refundable deposit is payable to cover any damage or breakages. It will be refunded after the cortijo has been inspected.

Owner's Cancellation Policy

Please ask the owner or check their rental agreement when booking the property.